Tooth Loss Statistics
Tooth loss is more common than you may think. Tooth decay, injuries, gum disease, and long-term wear and tear means you may wind up losing a tooth; the chances of tooth loss increase as you get older. Thankfully Dr. Byron J. Nordhus and his dental team serving he people of Wichita, KS offer restorative dentistry options to replace a missing tooth and multiple missing teeth.
The team at Nordhus Dentistry would like to consider some interesting statistics on tooth loss that will give you an idea of how common the problem is, and how dentists can help with prevention and tooth replacement.
Statistics on Tooth Loss in the United States
The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) found that 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth. The ACP also found that 40 million Americans are missing all of their top and bottom rows of teeth.
Statistics on Common Causes of Missing Teeth
A 2012 study published by the International Journal of Dentistry identified the most common reasons for tooth extraction in a Brazilian dental clinic. Even though this data comes from South America, the numbers still reveal common reasons why people lose their teeth and require restorative dental treatment.
- Cavities/Tooth Decay - 38.4 percent
- Periodontal Disease - 32.3 percent
- Eruption Issues - 6.4 percent
- Orthodontic Problems - 5.7 percent
- Prosthetics - 3.6 percent
- Physical Injury/Trauma - 2.6 percent
- Occlusal Problems - 1.1. percent
- Other/Not Specified - 9.9 percent
Statistics on Age and Tooth Loss
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has measured tooth loss figures among people from different age groups. The NIDCR data noted the following numbers:
- People Age 20-34 - 26.90 remaining teeth
- People Age 35-49 - 25.05 remaining teeth
- People Age 50-64 - 22.30 remaining teeth
For some reference, an average mouth has 28 teeth, not counting wisdom teeth.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 13 percent of people age 65-74 are missing all of their teeth. That figure rises to 26 percent among people age 75 and older.
The Connection Between Smoking and Missing Teeth
According to a European study published in the Journal of Dental Research, men who smoke were 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than male non-smokers; women who smoke were 2.5 times more likely to lose their teeth than female non-smokers.
In addition to those findings, the Academy of General Dentistry estimates that for every decade of smoking, a man will lose an average of 2.9 teeth; for women, the average number of teeth lost per decade of smoking is 1.5 teeth.
Consider these two sets of numbers yet another great excuse to kick the habit for good.
Statistics on Dental Treatments for Tooth Loss
With tooth loss so common, it shouldn’t be surprising that treatments for missing teeth are so popular.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry estimates that 37.5 million people will be wearing dentures by the year 2020. Dentures are just one option for tooth replacement. Implant dentistry is also popular, albeit maybe out of many patients’ price ranges. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) estimates that 3 million Americans have at least one dental implant in place.
Learn More About Treating Tooth Loss
To learn more about your many options for treating tooth loss and improving the health and appearance of your smile, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist. The team at Nordhus Dentistry is here to help. You can reach us by phone at (316) 778-6404.
